Friday, September 21, 2012

Lynne Kelly is a Class of 2k12 sibling, an active member of the Apocalypsies, an unstoppable Twitter-phile, an advocate of writers, published and pre-published everywhere. And a darn good writer herself. Her middle grade novel, CHAINED, came out in May and it stunned me with its vivid setting and fully-realized characters. Not only that, but she's also just a lovely all-round person. I'm delighted to introduce her to you.

THE FIVE:

1. What do you love most about your main character?

That he does the right thing, even when he's afraid.

2. What would your super power be?

Invisibility. Then I could listen to other people's
conversations without looking creepy. Come to think of it, that answer is
probably creepy.

3. What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

I suppose “winning lottery ticket” would be too easy. But I
did just discover the Post-It Note desk, which would make life much better. And it would be in my own writing office, of course.

4. What song would you have played at your funeral?

I'd love for my funeral to turn out like the “All You Need
Is Love” wedding scene from Love Actually.

5. If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island, which
book, piece of music, and snack food would you take with you?

Hmm, is it cheating to say a giant 7-volume book that
includes the whole Harry Potter series? If so, then I guess I'd have to
pick Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and then lie in the sand and
replay the rest of the series in my head. For music I'd take “Under Pressure,”
because it's one of the best songs ever and I never get tired of hearing it,
and for snack food I'd take chocolate-covered strawberries, 'cause they're
chocolate, of course, with the added bonus of scurvy protection.

ABOUT CHAINED:

After ten-year-old Hastin’s family
borrows money to pay for his sister’s hospital bill, he leaves his village in
northern India to take a job as an elephant keeper and work off the debt. He
thinks it will be an adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the cruel circus
owner. The crowds that come to the circus see a lively animal who plays soccer
and balances on milk bottles, but Hastin sees Nandita, a sweet elephant and his
best friend, who is chained when she’s not performing and punished until she
learns tricks perfectly. Hastin protects Nandita as best as he can, knowing
that the only way they will both survive is if he can find a way for them to
escape.

Monday, September 17, 2012

I am joining up with some fabulous authors (J. Anderson Coats, Jessica Spotswood, and several authors of new and exciting 2013 debuts) of historical fiction to launch a brand new blog! Corsets, Cutlasses and Candlesticks debuts today with an awesome giveaway (including a signed copy of GILT!)

Beginning in October, we'll be blogging Mondays and Wednesdays on all things historical, so come and check it out. You won't regret it.

And of course, I'll still be blogging here, and doing the Friday Five feature!

About Me

Having spent time as a freelance travel writer, travel agent, coffee shop barista, bookseller, ship's steward, construction company contracts manager and Montessori preschool teacher, I have finally found my calling. I write historical fiction for young adults. I am represented by Catherine Drayton of InkWell Management.

Find Me!

TARNISH

When poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach Anne Boleyn on how to shine at court, she accepts. Before long, Anne's popularity has soared, but more than popularity, Anne wants a voice. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart's desire and the chance to make history.

GILT

When her best friend marries Henry VIII, Kitty Tylney must learn to walk the fine line between secrets and treason, discovering that in the Tudor court, the price of gossip could literally be her head.